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Safety in Cougar
Country
Cougar (mountain lion) occur throughout most of Utah. Attacks by this usually
shy predator are extremely rare, but recent tragic incidents show they do
occur. The following guidelines are provided to help ensure your safety in
cougar country.
To Prevent Conflicts with Cougars:
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Do not feed deer or raccoons. Feeding these wildlife species encourages them
to remain in areas of human use, often in greater-than-normal densities.
This, in turn, attracts cougars and increases the potential for conflict.
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Do not leave pet food where other wildlife or cougar have access to it.
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Do not allow pets to run at large. Cougars will prey on dogs and cats, quickly
learning that they are easy to take. If pets are left outside, they should
be in covered cages. A lion can leap over an 8-foot fence to get a pet.
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Do not leave doors of barns or sheds open. Inquisitive cougars may go inside
for a look.
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Do not allow children to play alone in foothill locations, particularly at
dawn and dusk when cougars are most active. Brush should be cleared away
from bus stops and other places where cougars can hide.
If You Encounter a Cougar:
-
Do not panic. Most cougars will try to avoid confrontation.
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Raise your arms to make yourself appear as large as possible. Cougars prefer
smaller prey.
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Slowly back away, being careful never to run and never to turn your back.
Yell at the cougar and wave your arms as you back away.
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Do not make direct eye contact. Cougars perceive this as an act of aggression.
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If you are attacked, fight back, doing your best not to allow the cougar
to get behind you.
If you observe unusual or threatening behavior by a cougar, please
notify your nearest Division of Wildlife Resources
office.
Safety in Black Bear
Country
Most forested areas of Utah provide habitat suitable to black bears
and probably contain a resident population of bears. Bears usually avoid
humans, but they are attracted to odors such as those from human food, pet
food, garbage, hummingbird feeders, toothpaste, suntan lotion, and insect
repellant. For your safety and that of the bear, the following guidelines
are provided.
To Prevent Conflicts with Bears:
-
Generally, a clean (food-free) area is a bear-free area. In spring and summer,
bears are constantly roaming and searching for food. If they find none, they
move on.
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Keep rural home and cabin sites food-and litter-free. Food attracts bears
and encourages them to remain. Remove all garbage from the area, clean and
store barbecue stoves inside a secure facility. If garbage is stored on the
premises, keep it in a covered, bear, bear-proof container.
-
Do not leave food out on picnic tables or where bears have easy access to
it.
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NEVER feed a bear to take pictures or to get a closer look.
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When back country camping, store food where it cannot be reached by bears.
Food should be suspended at least 10 feet off the ground and centered between
tow trees at least 8 feet apart.
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If hiking in dense vegetation, such as that found along stream banks, make
noise to alert bears of your presence. Voices, whistles, bells, and other
noises are usually sufficient to make bears aware of you.
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NEVER keep food in your tent. Store food in the trunk of your car
whenever possible.
If You Encounter a Bear:
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Make noise, yell, clap hands, bang pots, and throw rocks to scare it away.
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NEVER approach a bear or let it approach you. If it does approach
you, retreat slowly or climb a tree until it leaves.
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If you are attacked and cannot get away, fight back, kick, scream, yell--be
aggressive.
If you observe unusual or threatening behavior by a bear, please notify
your nearest Division of Wildlife Resources
office.
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